Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 14 min drive - 11.3 km
Little River Casino - 14 min drive - 18.5 km
Crystal Mountain - 18 min drive - 18.8 km
Getting around
Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 15 min drive
Restaurants
Lakeside Cafe - 8 min walk
Grille 44 - 2 min drive
The Glenwood - 10 min drive
Rosie's Place - 4 min drive
Blue Slipper Tavern - 9 min drive
About this property
Motel Bear Lake
Motel Bear Lake puts you within a 15-minute drive of Lake Michigan. Guests can enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool, and hiking/biking trails, cross-country skiing and snowboarding are nearby.
Languages
English
At a glance
Hotel size
18 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-in/out available
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions
Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
Guests will receive an email 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and smart lock details; access will be through a private entrance
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets allowed (dogs only)*
Service animals welcome
Internet
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Free uncovered on-site self-parking
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
What to do
Beach access
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Services
Virtual front desk
Facilities
Garden
Picnic area
Seasonal outdoor pool
Firepit
Outdoor furniture
Room amenities
Be entertained
Smart television
Digital TV channels
Netflix
Streaming services
Home comfort
Climate-controlled air conditioning and heating
Ceiling fan
Coffee/tea maker
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Shower/bath combination
Soap and shampoo
Hairdryer
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Mini fridge
Microwave
Kitchenette
More
Mobile key entry
Fees & policies
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of USD 40 per accommodation, per stay
Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)
The seasonal pool is open from May 27 to September 16
Policies
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
This property does not have lifts.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Cashless transactions are available.
Also known as
Motel Bear Lake Motel
Motel Bear Lake Bear Lake
Motel Bear Lake Motel Bear Lake
Frequently asked questions
Is there a pool at Motel Bear Lake?
Yes, there's a seasonal outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at Motel Bear Lake?
Yes, dogs are welcome. There's a charge of USD 40 per accommodation, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Is parking offered on site at Motel Bear Lake?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Motel Bear Lake?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Express check-in and check-out and contactless social distancing and check-out are available.
Is there an on-site casino at Motel Bear Lake?
No, this motel doesn't have a casino, but Little River Casino (14-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at Motel Bear Lake and nearby?
During the winter, enjoy nearby recreation such as cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and return when the snow melts for hiking. Enjoy amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, a picnic area and a garden.
Does Motel Bear Lake have self-catered rooms fitted with kitchens or kitchenettes?
Yes, a kitchenette is available in every room, and also includes a microwave and a coffee maker.
Motel Bear Lake Reviews
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.8/10
Cleanliness
9.2/10
Staff & service
8.6/10
Amenities
9.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
22 Oct 2024
Perfect location with a cozy retro vibe!
Motel Bear Lake was a perfect spot to spend the night before an early flight out off Manistee. The decor was lovely, the information booklet was helpful, the bed was super comfortable, and the location was convenient.
The only minor concern was the noise. We could clearly hear nextdoor guests outside late at night, and the sounds in our room were slightly disruptive. Both are to be expected in an older building and in a motel layout. Nothing that would stop us from staying again.
We loved being able to purchase a mug with a quick Venmo payment - such a great idea!
Jennifer
Jennifer, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
21 Oct 2024
Holly
Holly, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
17 Oct 2024
Comfy
Very comfortable room, bed. Love the keyless entry.
Michael
Michael, 4-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
8 Oct 2024
Jennifer
Jennifer, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
6 Oct 2024
William
William, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
6 Oct 2024
AMAZING!!!!
This little motel located across from Bear Lake is a great comfortable beautiful spot. I really enjoyed the very comfortable beds and retro style bathroom. The convenience of having a Gas station across the street is a great plus for any munchies you may have. What a great stay!
Robert
Robert, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
2/10 Poor
21 Sept 2024
The Manager was helpful with finding me a spot
The hotel did not have a room for me. I had to stay at another hotel.
Tom
Tom, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
7 Sept 2024
Nice
Clean nice little motel
Steve
Steve, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
31 Aug 2024
Tammy
Tammy, 1-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
30 Aug 2024
Loved, loved, LOVEd this motel. Retro vibe is super cool and the staff (Nick) was soooo helpful. Definitely coming back!
Stacy L
Stacy L, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 Aug 2024
Darcy
Darcy, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
20 Aug 2024
Charming retro roadside motel. Updated rooms that still have mid century modern touches.
Cindy
Cindy, 1-night business trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
18 Aug 2024
A welcomed welcome.
Loved the decor and comfy rooms (I slept like a dream!). The pool looked pristine and so inviting but was sadly closed for the evening by the time we arrived. We especially appreciated “a room for all” messaging, eco-friendly efrorts ie. ceramic mugs as opposed to paper cups in the rooms, recycling containers everywhere and that cans and bottles would be donated to a local youth organization- love this!
Melissa
Melissa, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
15 Aug 2024
Clean
Donna
Donna, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
11 Aug 2024
Cute motel with nostalgic vibe. Owners are doing a great job of updating while still keeping the old charm. Would definitely stay again!!
Rebecca
Rebecca, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
8 Aug 2024
Nancy
Nancy, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
5 Aug 2024
This property was very cute and clean. Staff wonderful. We got there a little early and I was surprised how accommodating they were. Our room was ready within 15 min. This was a great location and I would definitely stay again.
Angela
Angela, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
3 Aug 2024
Ben
Ben, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
2 Aug 2024
Joel
Joel, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
31 Jul 2024
James
James, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
30 Jul 2024
Solid value…retro vibes
Motel Bear Lake is like being in a time warp, in a good way. It’s no frills, but it’s convenient, clean and comfortable. We couldn’t get a room at Arcadia Bluffs, so we stayed here. 10 minutes to the Bluffs course. The check-in and check-out process was fast and easy. I’d stay here again if I’m in the area.
Patrick
Patrick, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
29 Jul 2024
We loved staying here. The owner provides anything that you might think of that you will need during your stay here. The room was spacious, very clean and a nice little retro feel to it even though modern enough. Very quiet. Will stay here whenever we are in the area again. Be sure to check out the murals that are on the back of the building. The only issue was that the TV was hard to figure out how to use it, needs to be a little more user-friendly
Barbara
Barbara, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
28 Jul 2024
Very accommodating and friendly. when the wind blows and the algae grows from the lake you might catch a
Wiff. 😁
Nora
Nora, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 Jul 2024
What did I like about the prortuThis property was just beautiful. We enjoyed the spacious rooms and that they are dog friendly. This is a work in progress hotel as of 2024 which is what they said in the email, but you can hardly tell since the room we had was just adorable. They did hang new room numbers while we were at the beach. So that was the progress we saw.
What I didn't like is that they advertise as lgbtq friendly. I didn't understand why that matters since you are just renting a room. But it did slightly scare me that we might show up and it was going to be shoved down my throat since that happens so much now days. Plus I instantly thought how I would be afraid of what I might see during pride month after hearing and seeing how the parades go. And advertising Narcan makes me wonder what type of people might have been here before me, which did make me nervous for my kids.
Robert
Robert, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
23 Jul 2024
Retro, quiet and peaceful
Very quiet and relaxing. The pool was great and the area is beautiful. It's in-between great great areas and towns. I love the retro theme. Just a great place